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A review by christinecc
Little Sister by Susie Morgenstern, Johann G. Louis
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
slow-paced
5.0
What a heart-warming glimpse of family life and being a little sister in the 1950s New Jersey
Susie Morgenstern is an INSTITUTION in France. She has published countless books for children and was a huge part of my childhood growing up. So imagine my surprise when I discovered that this story about the youngest of three sisters and their parents living in midcentury Newark was... based on one of my favorite Francophone authors' childhood? Really?
(Yeah, really. The writing process for this was kind of funny because she reportedly had to go against her usual habits of writing the first draft in French so she could more accurately remember how she and her sisters spoke in the U.S. Unfortunately, the translation we have in English isn't her own, it's a professionally translated version of the French-language script she ultimately finalized. Language and translation is funny that way. It can spin around a few times.)
In "Little Sister," Susie is the baby of well-to-do Jewish-American family living in the suburbs. The story begins with her and her sisters sharing wonderful chemistry, sneaking American snacks, rightfully avoiding their mean neighbors, hanging out with friends, sharing magazines and chores, and joking around in a way that close siblings will recognize in their bones.
I don't want to spoil the slice-of-life story, but in short, Morgenstern is a master at finding the balance between genuine emotion that hits with kids, and that sense of deep longing and love that adults bring to long ago memories. I cried a few times. That's nearly always a given with Morgenstern, but I promise you'll laugh a lot, too. Sometimes it's scary to be a kid and feel small, but being a little sister also means you can have a big sister (or two big sisters) to look out for you, and a family that wants you to be happy. Johann Louis's illustrations are the perfect support for everything that happens. The style is childish, watercolor-like, and just a touch reminiscent of Sempé.
Recommended if you like mid-century period pieces, sweet slice-of-life stories, and want a heartwarming read for the winter season.
Thank you to Netgalley and Europe Comics for sending me a free eARC of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.
Susie Morgenstern is an INSTITUTION in France. She has published countless books for children and was a huge part of my childhood growing up. So imagine my surprise when I discovered that this story about the youngest of three sisters and their parents living in midcentury Newark was... based on one of my favorite Francophone authors' childhood? Really?
(Yeah, really. The writing process for this was kind of funny because she reportedly had to go against her usual habits of writing the first draft in French so she could more accurately remember how she and her sisters spoke in the U.S. Unfortunately, the translation we have in English isn't her own, it's a professionally translated version of the French-language script she ultimately finalized. Language and translation is funny that way. It can spin around a few times.)
In "Little Sister," Susie is the baby of well-to-do Jewish-American family living in the suburbs. The story begins with her and her sisters sharing wonderful chemistry, sneaking American snacks, rightfully avoiding their mean neighbors, hanging out with friends, sharing magazines and chores, and joking around in a way that close siblings will recognize in their bones.
I don't want to spoil the slice-of-life story, but in short, Morgenstern is a master at finding the balance between genuine emotion that hits with kids, and that sense of deep longing and love that adults bring to long ago memories. I cried a few times. That's nearly always a given with Morgenstern, but I promise you'll laugh a lot, too. Sometimes it's scary to be a kid and feel small, but being a little sister also means you can have a big sister (or two big sisters) to look out for you, and a family that wants you to be happy. Johann Louis's illustrations are the perfect support for everything that happens. The style is childish, watercolor-like, and just a touch reminiscent of Sempé.
Recommended if you like mid-century period pieces, sweet slice-of-life stories, and want a heartwarming read for the winter season.
Thank you to Netgalley and Europe Comics for sending me a free eARC of this graphic novel in exchange for an honest review.